Once Cast-Off Wife Now Untouchable Queen novel Chapter 383

Chapter 383 The City at Night

Finished

Aella was halfway through her pasta when her chest tightened. The taste turned dry, heavy like paper on her tongue. She pushed the plate aside, stood up, and walked away in silence.

The night felt endless and hollow.

She stood by the crosswalk as the lights changed again and again. Green. Yellow. Red. Green. She didn’t move.

“Give me a piggy–back ride, Tyrone.”

Across the street, a teenage boy carried a laughing girl on his back. Her laughter was soft and wild, cutting through the quiet like sunlight through clouds. The boy groaned and said, “Hold on tighter, idiot, or you’ll fall.”

Aella watched them. Her heart twisted until it hurt.

Behind her, Sayer and Clyde trailed close enough to see her but far enough to give her space.

Clyde rubbed his palms together. His voice was tight. “Sixer, is my sister okay?”

Sayer had a blanket thrown over one arm. His hazel eyes stayed on Aella’s back. “Let her walk. She’ll come home when she’s tired.”

Clyde’s throat bobbed. “You think she’s still hung up on him?”

Sayer dragged his hand down his face. “He’s dead. She doesn’t have a choice now. But she’s known him her whole life. You don’t erase that in a night.”

Then his phone started ringing.

He picked it up, and his expression went pale fast.

When the call ended, he grabbed Clyde’s arm. “Come on. Move!”

Aella saw them running and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

Sayer rushed to her side and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. “Brad’s been calling you. Edwin took his own life. OD–ed. Mrs. Winter fainted again. It’s the third time, and she still hasn’t woken up. Brad wants you to come.”

Aella froze like her body forgot how to breathe.

After a long silence, she spoke softly. “Mr. Locke, take me home. I need to change.”

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Chapter 383 The City at Night

At home, she went to her room and came out dressed in black.

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Clyde grabbed his jacket, his tone firm. “Aella, the Winters lost two people in two days. They’re wrecked. You shouldn’t go alone.”

Aella shook her head. She took his jacket and placed it back on the couch.

Her face was calm but hard. “Don’t worry about me. No matter how they feel, I have to go.”

Her parents exchanged looks. They didn’t stop her.

Sayer ended up driving her. He insisted.

When their car rolled through the open gates of Winter Estate, the dead of the night was creeping in slow.

The air was thick and cold, heavy with silence.

Aella stepped out of the car. Brad was waiting near the front steps.

He looked wrecked, eyes red and shadowed.

“All the main Winters and the McCarthys are already here. The rest will be here by morning. Mr. Ralph and Virginia are barely holding on. Raine’s falling apart. That’s why I called you.”

Aella nodded. She didn’t speak.

She followed him down the long, dim hallway.

The sky outside was dark, but above the estate, the darkness felt heavier, like grief had weight and shape.

The servants moved like ghosts, quiet and careful, their eyes fixed on the floor.

At the main hall, Aella saw Raine standing near the doorway. She was pale, swaying, held up by two people.

Aella stopped in front of her. “Raine, I’m sorry.”

She had promised herself she wouldn’t cry. She had sworn she’d stay strong.

But seeing Raine like this made her heart splinter.

Raine’s face was red and raw. Her eyes were empty. When she saw Aella, her tears came again.

Her voice shook. “My brother said I can’t hate you.”

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Chapter 383 The City at Night

Even dying, Tyrone had sent a message.

He told her to take care of their parents. To protect the company.

He said Aella would always be his sister–in–law. He said she must never resent her.

Those were the last words he left behind. Raine had carried them like chains.

Aella’s lashes trembled. She lowered her gaze and walked past Raine.

She had thought she was ready for this.

But hearing that Tyrone’s final words were about her felt like a blade to the heart.

In the living room, Ralph was waiting.

Finished

The man who had once been sharp and proud now looked like his own shadow. Even walking was laborious. He needed help just to take a step.

His back was bent. His hair was gray. In just two days, grief had eaten him alive.

When he saw Aella, he stopped. His shaking hand brushed away the person holding him up.

He pointed at her, his whole body trembling.

Aella looked straight at him. “Mr. Winter, if you don’t want me here, I’ll leave.”

Ralph’s finger shifted toward the main bedroom. His voice cracked. “Thank you for coming.”

Aella’s chest tightened. She hadn’t expected that.

He had lost his father and his son. For years, he had hated her.

But pain had stripped him bare, leaving only sorrow.

She said nothing and followed Brad toward the main bedroom.

Virginia had just woken up when Aella entered.

The second she saw her, she broke down, sobbing hard. The others stepped back, leaving them alone.

Aella sat beside her, eyes red. She pulled her close and whispered, “Virginia, I’m sorry. I really

am.”

From the doorway, Sayer watched her finally cry. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

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Brad told him to stay with her, then went to find Raine.

In the quiet side hall, Brad patted her shoulder and said softly, “Come here.” He let Raine rest her head on his shoulder as the silence stretched into morning.

Once Cast–off Wife, Now Untouchable Queen